Papa Roach

My dad has a very generous spirit. He gives toys to other kids and gives ceramic xiaolin figurines to my uncles and cousins. He always brings food home. Not just for me, my brothers and my mother, but also for our guests and everytime we go anywhere to visit anyone, he would always make an effort to bring something to give to them like little cakes and snacks to munch on.

He likes spending time with me even if we're just driving off together to do an errand or just sitting still somewhere or just having a meal somewhere. He likes the company. When he has something to drop off, he usually asks me or my brothers to go along with him for a drive. I sometimes go with him. He would turn the a.m. radio on and I would switch it back off again because I'd rather have silence than listen to something that I don't like. We'd just sit in silence together. He and my mother would sometimes pick me up from business school when I finish late and we'd go to "Alex III" to eat "Lengua" (pig's tongue) drowning in gravy.... Have I mentioned that I like gravy? Have I? Sometimes, we'd go to "San Fransisco Steak House" and have a nice big juicy steak. Again, drowning in gravy.

A couple of years ago when I went back to Phili to visit my family when I was still going to uni here in Australia, my dad wanted to take me shopping and just spend time with me but I selfishly refused. I was so in need of alone time that I missed out on reliving those moments with him. I regreted that so much. It made me longed for those days when my dad used to take me to the local cemetery when I was no more than 10 years old. We would just sit on the hill looking over the stones and the trees as the breeze caresses us. My dad would light a cigarette as we sit there enjoying each other's company. There were other times that he would also drive me to the field to watch the cows eat grass. Me being young and innocent, watched in fascination. Those two special moments are very clear in my head and I can still see it.

I miss him.

G'N'R - Chinese Democracy - June 20, 2007

Some time ago, I was crushed to have heard the news that I won't be going to see Guns N Roses because tickets were sold out. On one drunken night, two tickets were purchased on a special offer that I received from Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

It's been three days since me and my troll went to see the best band in the world and I'm still with it.

Let's start with the support acts, shall we? Angry Anderson has got personality! I've recently become an admirer of Rose Tattoo. Thumbs up for Sebastian Bach... Mr. long-hair-baby-face-perfect-teeth-bach in his tight leather gear. He's a classic!

We were on the floor at the front with just 4 rows of people in between us and the stage. Dead centre! There were these idiots right next to us ruining our good fun that got thrown out. Mr. Bach had to stop in the middle of a song to ask the bouncer to throw this guy out. Disgusting behaviour! Disgusting! You know what this world needs? Concert etiquette! That's what! If you're gonna be a dickhead, then you don't deserve to see the greatest band in the world. Contrary to what KISS thinks, I say it's Guns N Roses. Dont get me wrong, I like KISS. The first concert I saw in my life was KISS and I was on the floor on my own. But it will always be Guns N Roses that rocks my world.

Now, let's get to the REAL reason why I paid $150 to go to this event and another $100 for merch; the REAL reason why anybody would bother to stay out until 1:30am on a Wednesday night (well, Thursday morning) when you've got to get up at 6:35am the next morning to go to work with the realisation that you're too old to rock and roll all night and party everyday; the REAL reason why this post is being created. That's right... the REAL reason! Guns 'N' 'F' Roses! What? No photos? The bouncer threatened to confiscate any cameras around when the band comes out and since they're right in front of us, I've decided not to be stupid.

Let's start with the obvious. They opened with Welcome to the Jungle and closed with Paradise City. Below are songs in between (I hope I remember them all):

• Nightrain
• My Michelle (Sebastian Bach joined Guns N Roses on stage for this song. Perfection!)
• Outta Get Me
• Knockin on Heaven's door
• Patience
• Live and Let die
• Sweet Child O' Mine
• Mr. Brownstone
• November Rain
• Chinese Democracy
• You Could Be Mine
  

The following are the songs that I'm not sure of if they performed them or they were just in my head:

• You're Crazy
• It's So Easy

Here! Here! Dizzy Reed on keys! Is it the same without Slash? Would it be like Pantera without Dimebag?

Hey! Ho! The Guns N Roses are back!

NIN - Yr Zero Tour May 07 2007

I'm speechless.... I'm lost for words.... What can I say.... That was the best concert I've ever been to. And I could see this time. It sucks being short. So we stood on the hill and the view was perfect.

It was held at the Riverstage. It was outdoors and it was raining (just the right amount).. with the music and the lighting and the night... It was breathtaking..

The opening act was crap but better than the band that opened for NIN at the "With Teeth Tour" last year. Anyway, NIN opened with "The Beginning of the End" from their new album "Yr Zero" and ended with "Head Like a Hole" and in between are following:

• Sin
• Hurt
• Closer
• March of the Pigs
• No, You Don't
• The Hand That Feeds
• Piggy
• Heresy
• Survivalism
• La Mer
  

Obviously that's not all of them because I did not memorise the set list. Not a lot of photos were taken and the ones that we took weren't that good. My neck is still sore from the night and I blew off my last $40 for a tour shirt. But what the heck, I was there and I loved it!

Thou Shalt Not

Do you know what my problem is? I'll tell you what my problem is! I care too much. Well, maybe not too much but more than I want to, anyway. The fact is, it's human nature to care.

I've befriended Piotr Smirnov's work and anything similar to it during good times and bad. He became dear to me, my confidant, my best friend. I drowned myself in his power when I was in despair. I realised that this can't last forever. It's time to find a long term solution.

I've been trying to get a whole new outlook in life; trying to make myself happy; trying to make myself feel good about life. It's hard when there are reasons. Caring is leading me to heartaches so my solution is, thou shalt not. I may be uptight but I am not as close minded as the previous sentence is making me sound. Obviously, I am referring to incidents, events and certain unfortunates. So, here I am in my world that longs for solitude and oblivion.

I haven't given up yet. I didn't forget what I said about not drowning myself in sorrow anymore. What am I doing to get out of this? I am going to have fun! By myself or with friends, I am going to have fun! Of course, what's fun for me might not be to another but frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.

Then and Now

G'Day mate! It just doesn't sound right when I say it.. and by the way, I hate that term "mate".

Ten moons ago, Jerry and I went to the Phoenix for the NIN listening party. We only stayed for about an hour to play pool for free then left. It was pretty lame. Anyway, we headed on to the Troub to see a friend's band called Hot Liquid Sex. Didn't stay very long either but it was a pretty good night. Paulie took a few photos and I'm still waiting for Jerry to ask Paulie for them.

The following day was my birthday. Aaaahhhhh my birthday... how relaxing.... I got a bottle of whiskey and a bucket of chicken.. Could anything be more perfect?

Actually, yes. A few days later when I came home from work, I opened the medicine cabinet.. and then... there it was... reaching out to me.. my new baby love.. my Nokia N70! Jerry bought it for me and it was supposed to arrive on my birthday but it arrived late. Nevertheless, it's here and I'm loving it!

Yesterday, I went to meet up with a friend of mine in the city after work. I haven't seen her in ages! She's going away next month. For how long, I don't know. On the same night, Jerry had an office dinner/party and headed to the footy game then went to the city for an office after-party. Fun Fun Fun *wink* *wink*

It hasn't been all sunshine and lollipops. Guns N Roses tickets were released two days ago and I still don't have mine. $100 was the cheapest one and I don't know if I can afford it.. I know it's not the original Guns N Roses line up. It's Axl Rose and his band. I mean, come on, Slash is half the Guns N Roses! They should have changed their name, really. But it would still be pretty awesome to see them live.

I'm Back, Baby

I've spent most of my time working my arse off and neglecting everything else. No more. I've come to a realisation.. I'm getting old. Yes, yes, everyone has experienced this when they're at a certain age and another birthday is coming up. I'm not gonna give a lecture on how this is different because this is exactly what it is. I'm getting old and I don't want to keep getting older with just my work in my life. So, hibernation is over. I'm taking it upon myself to live again; to do things again and not just drown myself in sorrow on how life sucks; take care of myself again and reach for what I want and deserve. I'm sure this is just a phase that I will eventually kill off or a phase that will tire me to an extent that it's me that will get killed off. Nevertheless, I am on a psycho holiday.

Here's what's happening:

A Nine Inch Nails listening party. That's this coming Wednesday. It's going to be at "Club Phoenix" in the city. It's like a new HMB. I've only been there once while waiting for Lidia to show up for her birthday dinner at Jo-Jo's. I went to Phoenix just to kill time and almost everyone there were 18 year olds. Maybe it was just that night, I don't know.. but oh well, good music was played. A bit of GnR and a bit of Ozzy Osbourne here and there.

Next up would be the Nine Inch Nails - Year Zero concert on the 7th of May (Monday) at the Riverstage. I bought the album this afternoon with the HMV gift card that little Julie gave me last year for xmas. Since all my computers are stuffed, I asked Jerry to rip it into MP3s from his computer and transfer it to my mp3 player so I can start consuming it on my way to work tomorrow.

If you've been paying attention and checking my blog regularly, then you'd know that the new Guns N Roses are touring, as stated on my previous post. Really, just the one before this post. I promise. Anyway, I don't have my ticket yet. They go on sale on the 26th of April (next Thursday). I hope I can afford it. The concert will be on the 20th of June at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Here's a new band called "Hellyeah". Their first album, self titled, are in stores now, I believe. It consists of the elements of Pantera, Mudvayne, and Nothingface. I've listened to a few of their songs online. I really liked "you wouldn't know". Better be a good album.

I've also been losing a little bit of weight. It's not a conscious effort. It's more stress related. But weight loss is weight loss. My hair is also getting longer. That's the girly side of me. Here's another girly side of mine: I came across a scent that took my breath away... in a good way. Burberry London Women. Jerry is getting it for me.

I am also getting a new mobile phone. I think I speak for all of us that it doesn't come as a shock to anyone. I'm getting a Nokia and Jerry is going to get it for me. I "requested" a Nokia N70 or a Nokia 6680 as a second option.

I also need to update my wardrobe. I can't just live off t-shirts, cargo pants, fishnets, vinyl and buckles. By golly, I'm growing up.

Before I forget, I want to introduce my new lover.. Mr. Johnnie Walker. We've only been together for a few months but our relationship is flourishing. Whenever I hold him in my hands, I'm filled to the brim with girlish glee.

It's footy season and Jerry is obsessed with gpoker as well. I'm guessing those are the reasons why I've got plenty of time to catch up on my computer time. I've also been tinkering with my MySpace. Go check it out!

Guns N Roses Tour 2007

I'm feeling a bit nostalgic... thinking of the lone days (and nights) I spent with Guns N Roses partying in my head. The good ol' days..

In two months, June 20 2007 to be exact, Axl Rose along with the new members of GnR will rock Brisbane for their "Chinese Democracy" tour. Their new album that everyone thought was a myth. They'll soon prove us wrong, hopefully.

Rumored track list according to "Slash" is as follows:

01. "Chinese Democracy"
02. "This I Love"
03. "I.R.S."
04. "Thyme"
05. "Substitute"
06. "The General"
07. "Seven"
08. "Madagascar"
09. "Ides Of March"
10. "Catcher In The Rye"
11. "Leave Me Alone"
12. "The Blues"
13. "Closing In On You"
14. "There Was A Time"

Support acts! Sebastian Bach from Skid Row and Rose Tattoo, an Australian band.

We are the youth gone wild!! See you at the concert!

Retail Therapy

I've recently realised the importance of family. An environment that's familiar and safe.. An environment where I feel protected and secure even when at times it can be more than a person would want. Nevertheless, it's a place to run to when you just want to run away; an atmosphere to blend yourself in.

Niralyn, my cousin, and I used to go shopping all the time. We'd get there at 9:30am-10:00am when it opens and stay there until 8:00pm-9:00pm when it closes. She would spend the night sometimes and we'd model what we bought and stand in front of the mirror for some time. Aaahhh vanity...

My mother and Auntie Juanita invite me along when they go shopping. I enjoy it so. Probably because of the benefit of my mother's credit card. Nah.. not really. I need not worry about that since my mother taught me how to forge her signature so I could use it when I'm out by myself. Also, she gave me my own credit card as a secondary holder. I do enjoy strolling with them; listening to them gossip about things I don't care about; listening to them talk to retail sales people with much delight; and of course, the nice meal we all have afterwards.

I don't have a lot of shopping buddies. I like going shopping on my own more than anything. Sometimes, it's a team sport when I pair up with a companion. Michelle Y., a very dear friend of mine, is one of my favorites. Same deal, we'd get there when the shops open and stay there until they close. After the ritual, we'd have a footlong hotdog and coffee and talk about our day together.

Those were the days.. long gone but not at all forgotten.

Bites and Kisses

* I'm growing my hair again.

* I'm going to get a new phone. I don't know which one yet.

* I'm going to see Nine Inch Nails again. &th May 2007.

* I'm hoping to see Vince Neil on the 30th of March. Depending on how much money I have left.

* I got promoted.

* I moved to a different house.

* I finished a 500 pc jigsaw puzzle of the great wall of China. It's not a lot but it is to me since I am very impatient.

* I sold one of my phones.

* I went to a Roger Waters concert.

* The Madhappies are touring soon.

* I'm craving for pizza and beer.

* My grandma discovered the magic eye of technology.

* I'm in love with my cat.

* Sony Ericsson is not suitable for me.